For decades now soap operas have been the butt of many housewife jokes and for years the soap industry has been steadily becoming a dying breed. In 1937 Guiding Light was created and was originally a radio drama and after a couple of decades it moved to television. [1] Many soap operas were quick to follow and are still running to this day and they include As the World Turns, General Hospital, One Life to Live, All my Children, Days of our lives and The Young and the Restless.
Soap operas are probably one of the guiltiest pleasures around for women and men. Whether you watch to kill time when you’re at home sick, or as a child had adults who watched in your household, or are a disciplined fan who watches every day, soap operas reach out to many people. Everyone probably has one fond memory of watching soap operas and could probably identify each show’s iconic characters.
For instance, everyone knows The Young and the Restless is home to the beloved couple Victor and Nikki Newman (Eric Braedan and Melody Thomas Scott) and one of its more modern characters is the devious vixen Phyllis Summers (Michelle Stafford). General hospital is the home to one of the most famous soap couples ever- Luke and Laura Spencer, their wedding was watched worldwide and brought in a record breaking 30 million viewers making it one of the most watched event in soap opera history. [2] Days of Our Lives is of course home to “Bope” Bo and Hope Brady (Peter Reckell and Kristian Alfonso).
On April 1st media outlets and the soap industry were in shock to find out that after 72 years on the air, CBS’ Guiding Light has been cancelled. [3] September 18th will mark the last airing episode of a daytime staple.
For many this was inevitable, and while this may be true, it’s still very much like losing a part of what made daytime television television. Realistically there are many reasons why soap operas are reaching the end of their run and all you have to do is tune into any show between 12-5 pm to see.
The most creative person in the world runs out of ideas, there is only so many stories that can be told for each character. Although soaps have been known to cross many ethical, moral and scientifical lines for the sake of plots they have finally reached the end, and it’s obvious, painfully obvious. Stories are inconsistent, unrealistic, and character degrading.
The goal for a show to succeed and be consistent is long gone; the never-ending changes of senior members of the show heavily affect the outcome of the show. The main problem is that new directors, writers, and producers are coming in with big plans to completely change a show and generate unrealistic ratings. These people try to change everything they can even if they have to ignore the show’s history and there loyal viewers. They begin to change characters and rewrite history however they please, and the network officials have nothing to say as all they care about is money and ratings.
Soaps are one of the most unique mediums out there, and I personally don’t what to see them completely gone. However, I would love to see better writing and consistency with the characters. A lot of the times there appear to be little or no effort and there writing comes off as being lazy. The audience does not want crazy stunts and sex scene after sex scene, all they want is some good character interaction. Another issue I have with soap operas that I wish they would address is the lack of female empowerment.
It’s very common to see females being used on television in general, but I feel soap operas a lot of the times pass the line. I don’t enjoy the dumbing down female characters to make the men look better, as executives believe that they have to cater around the large female audience. This also insults all women; we do not only watch TV to see good looking guys with their shirts off walking around town doing obscene things and insulting women’s intelligence.
After all was it not As the World Turns that had one of the first female characters (and the oldest) Nancy Hughes face the troubles with her marriage and she took the bold step of joining the work force, she became one of the first women in series to do so. The controversial issue of abortion was also one of the first to be discussed and incorporated into stories on television (All my Children). All my Children were also one of the first to openly discuss and create a lesbian relationship between the two female characters, Bianca and Maggie (Eden Riegal and Elizabeth Hendrickson).
Women have been loyal supporters and it is unfair for the soap industry to treat them as such clueless, and plot driven objects. It’s not to say however, all the women are treated to that extreme, because the men also have a fair share of cluelessness being portrayed. But I believe that female portrayal is much more of an insult. There is so much potential and as the saying goes when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. It’s unfortunate that the soap industry does not see the potential and try to work with what they have; they have one of the most loyal audiences around and have plenty of opportunities to continue and make something big.
[1]”Guiding Light Cancelled” New York Post Online Article. Michael Starr. April 1st, 2009. June 11, 2009
< http://www.nypost.com/seven/04012009/tv/guiding_light_cancelled_162386.htm >
[2] “ Luke and Laura’s Almost-20th Wedding Anniversary” Soap Central Online Article. Dan J Kroll. November 15th, 2001. June 11, 2009
< http://www.soapcentral.com/gh/news/2001/1116-lukelaura.php >
[3] ”Guiding Light Cancelled” New York Post Online Article. Michael Starr. April 1st, 2009. June 11, 2009
< http://www.nypost.com/seven/04012009/tv/guiding_light_cancelled_162386.htm >
No comments:
Post a Comment